Journal of Dental Research, Vol 70, 970-974, Copyright © 1991 by International & American Associations for Dental Research Online Journals
Influence of fluoride and carbonate on in vitro remineralization of bovine enamel
P. C. Lammers, J. M. Borggreven, F. C. Driessens and J. W. Van Dijk
Dental School, Catholic University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
The influence of fluoride, carbonate, and fluoride in combination with
carbonate on the in vitro remineralization of bovine enamel was
investigated with the use of a sandwich technique. After demineralization,
enamel slices were subjected for 610 h to remineralizing solutions with
0.03 or 1.0 ppm fluoride. At each fluoride level, either 0, 1, 10, 20, or
25 mmol/L carbonate was tested. After 0, 22, 62, 126, 192, 329, and 610 h
of remineralization, contact microradiographs were made by Cu K
alpha-radiation. At 0.03 ppm fluoride, carbonate had an inhibiting
influence on remineralization. At 1.0 ppm fluoride, the inhibiting
influence of carbonate changed into a stimulation of remineralizatization
at 20 and 25 mmol/L carbonate. At 0, 1, and 10 mmol/L carbonate, fluoride
had an inhibiting influence on remineralization. The differences in
remineralization between the groups were explained by events concerning
crystal growth, i.e., different types of minerals might have precipitated
with differences in precipitation rates, and retardation of a precipitation
step might have occurred under the various remineralization conditions.
There was a mutual influence of fluoride and carbonate on the
remineralization process. We conclude that the composition of the
remineralizing solution with respect to fluoride and carbonate
concentrations is important for the remineralization process.
